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Ohio Justice and Policy Center

EIN 31-1319172 · Cincinnati, OH

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood86 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO CREATE FAIR, INTELLIGENT, REDEMPTIVE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEMS THROUGH ZEALOUS CLIENT-CENTERED ADVOCACY, INNOVATIVE POLICY REFORM AND CROSS-SECTOR COMMUNITY EDUCATION.

Income
$1.9 million
Spending
$1.9 million
Spent on programs
67%
Reserves
10.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 83%
Employees
20
Volunteers
21
Highest pay
$200,528, chief executive officer

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 13% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    67% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 21 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (4)
  1. $448,040 spent. SECOND CHANCE:THIS STRATEGIC GOAL AIMS TO EXPAND THE FREEDOM OF PEOPLE WITH CRIMINAL RECORDS TO PARTICIPATE FULLY IN THE COMMUNITY. PEOPLE WITH CRIMINAL RECORDS FACE UNPRECEDENTED, LIFELONG BARRIERS TO OBTAINING AND RETAINING GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT, ACCESSING EDUCATION AT ALL LEVELS, AND FINDING STABLE HOUSING. OJPC'S SECOND CHANCE COMMUNITY LEGAL CLINICS PROVIDE EXPERT 1 ON 1 LEGAL SUPPORT TO PEOPLE WITH CRIMINAL RECORDS. THROUGH THE LEGAL CLINICS AND OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, WE SCREEN PEOPLE FOR CRIMINAL RECORD SEALING, HELP INDIVIDUALS OBTAIN COURT-ISSUED REHABILITATION CERTIFICATES FOR EMPLOYMENT PURPOSES , PROVIDE REPRESENTATION TO HUMAN TRAFFICKING SURVIVORS; RESOLVE COURT FINES, FEES, AND COSTS; AND HELP OHIOANS IN REMOVING OTHER LEGAL BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT, LICENSING, HOUSING, OR CIVIC PARTICIPATION.
  2. $473,923 spent. DECARCERATION:OJPC'S BEYOND GUILT PROJECT ADDRESSES OUR STRATEGIC GOAL TO REDUCE THE SIZE AND RACIAL DISPARITY OF THE STATE POPULATION OF INCARCERATED PEOPLE SAFELY AND SUBSTANTIALLY. LAUNCHED IN THE SPRING OF 2019, BEYOND GUILT WORKS TO FREE OVER-PUNISHED PEOPLE WHO HAVE SERVED SIGNIFICANT PORTIONS OF THEIR SENTENCES AND CAN DEMONSTRATE REHABILITATION AND READINESS TO REJOIN SOCIETY. BASED ON THE PREMISE THAT ALL PEOPLE ARE CAPABLE OF ACHIEVING REHABILITATION AND REDEMPTION, INCLUDING PEOPLE WHO COMMITTED A VIOLENT CRIME OR OTHER SERIOUS OFFENSE, WE BELIEVE (TO PARAPHRASE SISTER HELEN PREJEAN AND BRYAN STEVENSON) THAT PEOPLE SHOULD NOT BE FOREVER DEFINED BY THEIR WORST ACTS. BEYOND GUILT AIMS TO DO FOR THE OVER-PUNISHED PRISONERS WHO ADMIT GUILT WHAT INNOCENCE PROJECTS HAVE DONE FOR WRONGFULLY CONVICTED PERSONS. TO DATE, BEYOND GUILT HAS FREED MORE THAN 56 PEOPLE.WE ARE ALSO LITIGATING TWO LAWSUITS AGAINST THE OHIO PAROLE BOARD TO FORCE CHANGES THAT WOULD HELP MOR.E INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE REHABILITATED THEMSELVES GAIN THEIR FREEDOM.
  3. $145,870 spent. HUMAN RIGHTS IN PRISON:THROUGH ITS IMPACT LITIGATION AND ADVOCACY, OJPC'S THIRD STRATEGIC GOAL IS TO ELIMINATE UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND DANGEROUS CONDITIONS OF CONFINEMENT FOR THOSE LIVING IN OHIO PRISONS. IN 1982, THERE WERE APPROXIMATELY 17,000 PEOPLE INCARCERATED IN OHIO PRISONS, BUT THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 45,000 TODAY (DOWN FROM APPROXIMATELY 50,000 AT THE BEGINNING OF 2020). AS THE PRISON POPULATION HAS RAPIDLY GROWN OVER THE YEARS, AND THE STATE HAS STRUGGLED TO PAY THE COSTS OF INCARCERATING SO MANY PEOPLE, PRISON CONDITIONS HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY DETERIORATED. INCARCERATED PEOPLE FACE AN ENORMOUS RANGE OF LEGAL AND HEALTH ISSUES LIKELY TO RESULT IN SERIOUS HARM OR DEATH. OJPC ALSO ADVOCATES FOR STATEWIDE POLICIES THAT ELIMINATE UNFAIR TREATMENT OF INCARCERATED PEOPLE.
  4. $189,549 spent. OJPC'S OTHER WORK INCLUDES TRAINING FUTURE LEADERS; HOSTING A HANDFUL OF SUMMER INTERNS, OFFERING BOTH UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS AND LAW STUDENTS LEGAL EXPERIENCES. OUR MANAGING ATTORNEY SUPERVISES THE STUDENTS.OJPC ALSO WORKS TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE NEED FOR CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM REFORM THROUGH VARIOUS COMMUNITY PRESENTATIONS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since June 1991.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.